More Information

Lifestyle mix: The Katy/Fulshear community of Firethorne offers sprawling lots, nature parks, top schools and access to major roadways. 5

Affordable homes, "top-notch" schools and a "small community feel" are among the reasons people are flocking to the fast-growing Cross Creek Ranch, according to Realtors and residents.

Cross Creek Ranch, zoned to both Katy ISD and Lamar CISD, has been one of the area's most consistent real estate growth markets for the last three years, making the development a desirable place to live, said Realtor and resident Polly Royer.

Royer, a 25-year Katy resident who works for Prudential Realtors, has lived in the development since 2009 when there were only 50 houses.

"I love it here," said Royer, who originally moved to Katy because of the schools. "It's close enough to Katy so you have easy access to activities there but you are out of the hustle and bustle of all Katy and Houston has to offer."

About 700 homes have been built since the 3,200-acre master-planned project debuted in 2008, said welcome center manager Donna Lamb.

Johnson Development Corp., which developed Sienna Plantation in Missouri City and other Houston-area master-planned neighborhoods, recently acquired the community from the original developer Trendmaker Homes.

Builders include Ashton Woods, David Weekley, Kickerillo, Perry, Plantation, Newmark and Village Builders. Home prices range from the $200,000s to about $1.5 million. An additional 5,000 home sites are planned for development in the next 10 years while nearly 200 acres have been set aside for retail and multifamily development.

"When we first opened, we sold homes to engineers who had worked on the Westpark Tollway and many Realtors were among our early residents," Lamb said.

Maria Ramos moved to the Arbor Park subdivision in the community three years ago when her husband Raul, who works for Chevron Oil, was transferred from Louisiana. They have three boys ages 2 to 13, two of whom attend Katy schools.

"We saw a lot of homes in Cinco Ranch and it is too crowded," Ramos said. "We love the openness of it here and Houston was not even on our radar because of the congestion there."

Ramos said the Katy school district and the high level of amenities influenced their decision to purchase a home. She also liked the hometown feel of the area.

The residential neighborhood is at the crossroads of the Katy and Fulshear communities and is zoned primarily to Katy ISD. About 25 percent of the development is zoned to Lamar CISD.

"There has been a lot of growth in Fulshear as well as the central part of the district," said Mike Rockwood, LCISD spokesman. "Growth is definitely heading our way."

Since 2000-01, Lamar has grown from 15,000 students to more than 25,000 and is projected to reach an enrollment of 30,000 in five years, he said.

Lamb said oil and gas relocations account for about 49 percent of those who move there. She said people come from Venezuela, Brazil, Italy and England as well as Louisiana and Oklahoma. Many also come from nearby Sugar Land and Cinco Ranch.

Royer, whose daughter and two grandsons live with her, said her daughter wanted to be in the Katy school system.

"Lamar has excellent schools as well, but Katy is great at promoting their school district," Lamb said.

Melanie Wilson said she was considering relocating to the ranch-inspired resort-style development because of the nature trails and small-town ambiance, which is unlike the Cinco Ranch area where she now lives.

"It's a more attractive community and I love all the nature that has been integrated into the area," said Wilson, who is single and does not have children.

The community has more than 25 miles of trails, several hundred acres of lakes, lots of open land and Flewellen Creek as one of its centerpieces.

The developer has set the tone for the community by protecting wildlife such as ducks and birds, as well as adding 25,000 trees and pocket parks in addition to a boat ramp and fishing areas.

Amenities include a fitness center, tennis court, parks and café. Activities for residents range from an Easter egg hunt and nature and master gardener talks to kindermusik and dog training. Lamb said most services are included in the $1,015 per year homeowner's fees.

Royer said Cross Creek Ranch has fueled commercial development. Kroger is building a grocery at Spring Green and FM 1093; Dekker's Mesquite is a popular new Fulshear restaurant; and a Shell/McDonald's is being built at FM 1463 and FM 1093.

Schools are Katy ISD's Stanley Elementary, WoodCreek Junior High and Seven Lakes High for students in the Lakeside and Creekside sections.

Students in Lakes of Cross Creek sections are zoned to Huggins Elementary, Wertheimer Middle School, Briscoe Junior High and Foster High School in Lamar CISD.